Jan. 2, 2004

Box Score?|? Quotes?|? Notes

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Carlos Powell and Michael Boynton each scored eight points to key the highest-scoring first half of the year as South Carolina beat Appalachian State 78-58 on Friday night.

Powell, who had hit just 11 of his last 25 shots, led South Carolina with 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting. He also had 11 rebounds. Boynton chipped in 13 points, including three 3-pointers.

The Gamecocks (13-1) grabbed a 42-23 lead after the first half. Appalachian State (6-8) made just seven of 29 field goals, 27.6 percent, to South Carolina’s 50 percent effort on 16 of 32 from the floor.

Up 19-15, the Gamecocks outscored the Mountaineers 23-8 in the final 8:44, scoring on 12 of their final 18 possessions to eclipse the 41 points they scored against Campbell on Nov. 29.

The second half was more of the same for both teams as the Gamecocks picked up their 13th win of the season – one more than they had all of last year when they wound up 12-16.

Appalachian State was led by D.J. Thompson with 10 points.